The full process of how I make a Tall Candlestick Holder.
Starting stock includes 20mm Square, 25x8mm flat bar, 1.5mm sheet. You will see processes including forging under the power hammer, fly press and anvil, along with the use of the oxy-propane torch I also use the MIG welder.
This is an existing product of my own design that uses lots of visually interesting traditional processes… and a MIG welder, which I feel requires a bit of explanation.
I call myself a traditional blacksmith. I try to limit how much electrical welding goes into all my products and can count on one hand the amount of electrical welds I use across my entire range. I limit it’s use because I want to stay integral to the craft of blacksmithing, I don’t find MIG welding particularly interesting or enjoyable to do, and I want to push myself in terms of solving practical problems with traditional methods.
When I started my own blacksmithing business in 2009 I didn’t feel at all confident with fire welding. I knew the theory, or, at least, what they taught me in college, but had not had a huge amount of time dedicated to practicing it. It was only later in my career that I decided to dive in and teach myself. I have done that now (there is a video I have made on the basics of fire welding here: https://youtu.be/VGxIqW0yV4Q) and feel very skilled and confident in it.
This candlestick holder has been a product of mine for years. I designed it way back in the early days before I had reached the level of confidence I have now with fire welding. It was, and remains, a very good seller and has been bought and shipped to people all over the world so I am obviously reluctant to change a winning formula. You might ask why I don’t update my process and make the same design replacing the electrical welding with fire welding. The answer, as is so often the case, comes down to cost. Making this particular design using traditional methods would take longer and I am reluctant to increase the price for my customers on such a popular item.
Maybe that is the right thing to do? Maybe staying true to the craft of traditional blacksmithing is inherently ‘right’? Maybe I haven’t got the right balance? Whatever your opinions are, I wanted to record the process that I am currently working with, warts and all, and I hope you find it interesting either way. Now go finish watching the video!